Day 1 Arrive Lima
Arrive in Lima at any time.
Day 2-3 Lima
Founded by Francisco Pizarro, on the Day of the Three Kings (Epiphany) in 1535, Lima is known as the City of Kings. It is Peru’s capital city and as such, deserves a visit. The Plaza de Armas is the heart of old Lima and you’ll find the Cathedral, Government Palace and Archbishop’s Palace. The Cathedral dates back to the 1700s and houses the remains of the conquistador Pizarro.
Day 4-5 Pisco/Nazca
Pisco is an oasis in a barren land and an important port town. It derives its name from the white grape brandy produced in the region. If you haven’t tried the national drink, Pisco Sour, then this is the place to do it. While the town itself is of considerable historical and archaeological interest, we also use it as a starting point for an optional visit to the Ballestas Islands, where we observe the sea lion colonies, penguins and a variety of other birds.
Day 6-9 Arequipa / Colca Canyon
Peru’s second most important city after Lima, Arequipa, maintains a traditional colonial style and more laid back pace in comparison with the capital. Arequipa is built from a very light coloured volcanic rock called sillar, the older buildings dazzle in the sun, thus the nickname, “the White City.” The main plaza with its cafés and nearby cathedral is a top draw for visitors.
Day 10-16 Cuzco / Ollantaytambo / Inca Trail (3B, 3L, 3D)
Cuzco is the hub of the South American travel network. The city attracts thousands of travellers who come not just to visit a unique destination but also to experience an age-old culture very different from their 20th century way of life; one could easily spend a week just in and around the area. Cuzco is the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Inca-built stone walls line most of the central streets and you don't have to go far to see other Inca ruins. It is a city steeped in history, tradition and legend.
INCA TRAIL:
The 4-day hike on the Inca Trail, to Machu Picchu, is included in the cost of the tour. For those interested in a challenging but worthwhile hike, the Inca Trail is exceptional, however you must be prepared for it! It is a 40-km (25 mile) hike, with 3 high passes to be crossed, one of which reaches an elevation of 4200m (13776 ft). The trail is often steep, and it may rain even during the dry season. The temperatures at night may fall below zero, so it is important to come prepared.
Day 17-19 Puno / Lake Titicaca
Today we travel through the high Altiplano region to get from Cuzco to Puno, on Lake Titicaca. There is an overnight excursion to the Islands on Lake Titicaca. This includes a visit to the Uros floating islands, and an overnight stay with a family on Taquile or Amantani Island. We return to Puno in the late afternoon.
Day 20-22 La Paz
The drive around Lake Titicaca and through the altiplano to La Paz, Bolivia is impressive. Founded by Alonso de Mendoza in 1548, La Ciudad de Nuestra Señora de La Paz (the City of Our Lady of Peace) is a great place to explore on foot. Although Sucre is the official capital, La Paz is the Bolivian centre of commerce, finance and industry, and the de facto capital. This is a busy modern city, with its centre at the base of a canyon 5 km (3 miles) wide, with sprawling impromptu housing all the way up the surrounding hillsides. The city is at nearly 4000 m (13,120 ft) above sea level, so visitors should be prepared for cool evenings and mornings.
Day 23-24 Cochabamba / Night bus
Staying in the highlands, we travel south to the city of Cochabamba, famous for its spring-like climate and for its chicha (fermented maize drink). Explore the museums and this pleasant city before climbing aboard a night bus headed for Sucre.
Day 25-26 Sucre
Often referred to as Bolivia’s White City, the country’s official capital, Sucre, is situated at nearly 2800m (9184 ft) and offers its visitors and inhabitants a more moderate, comfortable climate than cities at higher elevation. Before the conquest, military, religious and political leaders of the local indigenous population made their homes on the present day city site. The site became the headquarters for the Spanish Royal Court, which by the late 1700s ruled over colonial Paraguay, parts of Peru, Argentina, Chile, and most of Bolivia. In 1825, in the wake of the Latin American independence movement, the city was renamed Sucre, after Simon Bolívar’s second-in-command, General Sucre. The city’s fine museums, colonial buildings and ties to the independence movement make it a city of great historical interest, and the city has much to offer during our two day stay. Optional activities include a visit to dinosaur footprints, an old tin baron’s mansion, a textile cooperative, mountain biking and hiking.
Day 27-28 Potosí
Situated at 4070m (13,350 ft), Potosí is the highest city of its size on earth. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in1987 in recognition of its tragic history in the mining of silver during the time of Spanish colonization. Potosí provided a large share of the silver mined and shipped back to Spain until the early 1800s, when both the supply of silver and world market prices began to decline.
Day 29-31 Uyuni / 4x4 Desert Crossing Excursion (2B,2L,2D)
We spend three days in the stunning landscapes between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert (Chile), exploring by four-wheel-drive vehicles. Driving across the salt flats is a fantastic experience, particularly for the contrast of piercing blue skies and blinding white salt on the flat lakebed. The area’s unusual landscape of mountains, active volcanoes, and geysers is like nowhere on earth.
Day 32-34 San Pedro de Atacama
Descending almost 3000 metres from the high Bolivian altiplano, we arrive at the edge of the Atacama Desert, and to the small desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. There are plenty of optional excursions here, like biking, exploring nearby ruins, horseback riding, and a tour of the Valley of the Moon.
Day 35-37 Night bus / La Serena
A long bus ride takes us down Chile’s northern regions and to the beachside city of La Serena. The city has an attractive, colonial feel to it, with many places of interest outside the city. Take a tour to the Elqui Valley, visit a Pisco factory, or maybe stop by one of the numerous international astronomical observatories scattered throughout the valley. We spend 2 nights here before travelling to Santiago on day 38.
Day 38-40 Santiago
Santiago is Chile’s largest city and capital, with internationally recognized vineyards and Andean ski resorts very close by. Explore the many museums and parks, and visit the vibrant neighbourhood of Bellavista to see some handicrafts and trendy cafés. Optional day-trips include a trip to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, Chile’s premier beach resort, and to Isla Negra, Pablo Neruda’s seaside home.
Day 41-44 Night bus / Pucón
After a full day exploring the capital city we will board a night bus bound for Pucón, in the Lake District. This is a Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, with activities galore. Some of these include a volcano climb, hiking in one of the many national parks, rafting, mountain biking and skiing/snowboarding (in season).
Day 45-46 Puerto Montt/ Puerto Varas
A trip further south brings us to the city of Puerto Montt. This is Chile’s most important southern port and it is the gateway for explorers going further south into Patagonia. Take a day trip to the island of Chiloé and sample the seafood!
Day 47-49 Bariloche
After a beautiful journey through the mountains of upper Patagonia we will cross over into Argentina and arrive at Bariloche. Situated on the beautiful shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche is a year-round playground for skiers, hikers and outdoors enthusiasts of all types. A popular resort town for Argentines, the spectacular surroundings of Bariloche offer loads of outdoor options, like hiking, biking, parapenting, lake tours, and skiing/snowboarding (in season). Bariloche is also famous for its quality and quantity of chocolate. So wander around the city, enjoy the landscapes and eat chocolate!
Day 50 Night bus
A long bus journey carries us out of upper Patagonia and to the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires.
Day 51-52 Buenos Aires
Known as the ‘Paris of the Americas,’ Buenos Aires is a vibrant city full of life. Visit the districts of La Boca, Recoleta, and San Telmo or catch a tango show at one of the many famous tanguerías. Wander the pedestrian walkways and see some dancing in the streets. Whatever you do, Buenos Aires is sure to leave lasting memories.
Day 53-58 Colonia / Montevideo / Salto
Cross the Rio de la Plata by ferry to reach the shores of Uruguay. Explore Colonia’s unique culture, rich history and captivating architecture while you stroll down its cobble-stoned streets.
We then travel by bus to Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726. Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay and is by far, the country's largest city. Over half of the population lives there (about 1 million) and the city dominates the commercial and cultural life of the nation. It's very lively and modern with many architecturally interesting buildings, yet the city also maintains a very quiet atmosphere. There are several good museums not to be missed, as well as some very good beaches just outside the city.
Later we travel by day through picturesque settlements and pastures finishing in our last Uruguayan stop of Salto. There you can relax in the thermal baths, enjoy spa treatments or have a blast at the water park.
Day 59-66 Iguassu Falls / Paraty /Ilha Grande
Our visit to Brazil begins with the magnificent Foz do Iguaçu, or Iguassu falls, bordering Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. In order to see the falls properly you need to view them from both the Brazilian and the Argentine side. The Brazilian side offers the grand overview, and the Argentine side, a closer look. The best time of the year to see them is from August to November, as from May to July you may not be able to approach the swollen waters on the catwalks. Experience an exhilarating optional boat tour at the falls or simply marvel at nature’s breadth and the roar of the falls.
Next stop is Paraty, a quaint colonial town on the coast renowned for its architecture. This is our kick-off point for a trip by bus and boat to Ilha Grande not far from the coast. Relax and enjoy a cool Caipirinha on the beach, or try the surf before proceeding on to Rio.
Day 67 Rio de Janeiro
Leaving the port after returning from Ilha Grande, a dramatic road then takes us down and north along the coast through superb scenery before rounding the cliffs at Vidigal, where we get our first glimpse of one of the most memorable cities in the world Brazil’s ocean-side jewel, Río de Janeiro.
Day 68 Depart Rio de Janeiro
Australia
